The Shark Blog

If you're going to win in daily fantasy hockey on Draftstreet, you need to look for any advantage you can grab when setting your lineup.One aspect that tends to be overlooked is targeting teams.This works in both directions:rostering players on hot teams and players who are facing a weak opposition.This week, I'll break down the latest trends on both sides of the equation, and highlight a handful of players to keep an eye on there.

Hot Teams

Dallas Stars

Easily the most shocking stat of the year to this point has the Dallas Stars sitting on top of the NHL standings.I personally picked Dallas to miss the playoffs this season.The team is on a roll, and more importantly to daily fantasy players, the Stars are racking up the goals.They've potted 5 or more in the past 3 games.In fact, you have to go back to Oct. 22nd to find a game where they registered less than 3 goals.The loss of Brad Richards hasn't hindered this offense one bit, as they're getting plenty of punch of front from their top line of Benn, Erikkson and Ryder.Add in the triumphant return of Souray, and you've got a team worth looking at (at least for now).

Jamie Benn (LW) - $15k

Benn's value has steadily risen to the point where he may be too expensive to consider; however, he has earned every bit of it so far.I expect him to keep up this pace all year long.No fluke here.

Loui Eriksson (RW) - $13.4k

I was high on Eriksson all last season, when he was generally undervalued on Draftstreet.8 goals in 14 games has him on the radar this time around.Still, he's providing decent return for his salary at this point.Look for the goals to keep rolling in.

Michael Ryder (RW) - $10k

Ryder is red hot right now, enjoying his time with Benn and Eriksson.He's gone through hot stretches in the past with some of his former squads.He's also shown long periods of indifference.For the time being, you can cash in on his low cap hit, but keep an eye on his playing time and who he's playing with.If he gets shifted back to the 2nd line, he's not worth a look.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Despite going with 1/3 of their star centers on any given night, the Pens have registered 3 or more goals in the last 8 games.It seems we're on the verge of a Crosby return, which should have ripple effects throughout the Penguin lineup.Tyler Kennedy may also be back in uniform soon.With Staal also on the mend, we could be seeing the big 3 suited up together for the first time in years.While that may mean less production from Staal, it's good news for the wingers in Pittsburgh.

James Neal (LW) - $11.9k

Despite racking up 9 goals in 15 games playing with a mismatch of centers thus far, Neal remains dramatically undervalued on Draftstreet.With a steady helping of Malkin and/or Crosby in the middle, don't expect this deal to last long.He'll be pushing $14k by Thanksgiving.

Tyler Kennedy

Assuming Kennedy is back to full health, he's another who stands to benefit greatly from a full Penguins lineup.He's the most trigger happy guy in Pittsburgh and is capable of putting those shots behind the goalie on a regular basis.

Sidney Crosby (C ) - ???

No telling where his cap hit will land when he shows up for selection on Draftstreet.Whatever it is, he'll be worth the price.

Washington Capitals

No huge surprise that the Caps are near the top of the league in goal scoring this season.It seems that some of the stars who seemed to fall asleep last season have woken up, and it goes far beyond the obvious Ovechkin.There is the notable exception of Alex Semin, who has emerged as the most enigmatic player in the league.(Don't expect him to finish the season in D.C.).

Nicklas Backstrom (C )

Backstrom is back in the form that saw him top 100 points just 2 season ago.He has 9 points in his last 5 games and is challenging for the league lead in scoring.Use him whenever possible at this point.

Mike Green (D) - $11.1k

Green's health is certainly a concern, so keep a close eye on those injury reports.And his cap hit is a bit much for a defenseman, but if you find yourself with some wiggle room on defense, he seems to be back to giving full value.In his prime, Green provides offense like a forward.He has almost a point a game so far, and is back on pace for double digits in goals this time around.

John Carlson (D)

If you're looking for a more reasonably priced alternative to Mike Green on defense, give strong consideration to Carlson.He started the season out slowly, but has found his form with points in 3 straight games.

Opponents to Target

Prey on the weak.It's a solid strategy if you plan to win on Draftstreet.There are certain teams that consistently provide a feeding ground for fantasy forwards.Here are a few to target against.Watch who they're playing and full your lineup with the opposition.For Thursday's action, I will highlight a name or two to consider for the feast.

Columbus Bluejackets

53 goals against.Only Ottawa has allowed more goals this season.There's no end in sight to the misery on display in central Ohio and you should take full advantage.The Hawks get their chance to pick at the carnage tonight, and coming off a frustrating blanking in St. Louis, you can bet they'll be motivated to run it up.Any of the big four are worth targeting this evening (Kane, Sharp, Hossa, Toews).The Jackets are equally pathetic on offense, so Corey Crawford is also worth a look in net for tonight.

Tampa Bay Lightning

You can bet that if the Lightning are in the building, the goal judge (if such a thing still exists) will be busy on both ends of the rink.They have plenty of weapons to score, but they do so at the expense of defense.Goaltending in Tampa is among the worst in the league, regardless of what you may remember from last spring's playoff run.The Lightning aren't active tonight, so you'll have to wait for Saturday to feed on this mess.They'll face the Blues, who will be motivated to impress new coach Hitchcock.Target Chris Stewart in that game.

Carolina Hurricanes

Despite having one of the most talented goalies in the game, the Canes just aren't getting the job done on defense this season.Instead of solidifying the back end this summer, they went out and added the aging power play specialist Tomas Kaberle to replace Corvo.The results have been predictably unimpressive, with Kaberle producing just 3 assists to go with a -5 rating (which actually looks stellar when compared to the -16 that captain Eric Staal is currently plagued with).Carolina is also off this evening, but look ahead to Saturday when they host the Penguins in what should be an ugly result on the scoresheet.

Winnepeg Jets

Hey, at least they have a team, right?Things have actually started to turn around a bit on defense, after a horrific start to the season.Since the 9-8 "victory" over the Flyers a couple weeks back, they've flirted with being mediocre on defense.However, this is still a team you can hope to profit against on a nightly basis.They host the Panthers tonight, who have been surging recently.Look to add Tomas Fleischmann and possibly Stephen Weiss or Kris Versteeg to your lineup this evening.

Toronto Mapleleafs

Since Reimer went down to injury, the numbers have taken a turn for the ugly in Toronto.Gustavsson just isn't getting the job done.The Leafs have surrendered 12 goals over the last two games.They face St. Louis tonight.Again, I'm looking at Chris Stewart, who just snapped a goal-less draught, to have a big game.

Tonight's Lineup on Draftstreet

I'm taking my own advice on a handful of these picks.Goalie selection is between Halak, Backstrom, and Crawford.The first two are coming off shutouts on Tuesday night.Crawford gets to face a weak Columbus offense.All three should get a win this evening.Halak is by far the cheapest option.

Position

Player

Salary

Notes

Goalie

Jaroslav Halak

$16k

Coming off a shutout -- Hitchcock always bring out the best in a goalie.Enjoy the rebound.

Center

Alex Burmistrov

$7.9k

Young pup is starting to see his salary climb.Play him before he's too pricey.

Center

Mark Letestu

$3.2k

The new guy in town will be looking to make a good impression in his debut.

Left Wing

Tomas Fleishmann

$11.8k

(see above)

Left Wing

Daniel Sedin

$14.9k

Tough to argue with Sedin on any given night.Coming off a 3-point performance.

Right Wing

Patrick Kane

$13.6k

(see above)

Right Wing

Chris Stewart

$8.7k

(see above)

Defense

Mark Streit

$6.7k

Streit remains underpriced for a stud defenseman.

Defense

Jake Gardiner

$4.7k

Price is right for the young Leaf.I'll be happy with 2 fantasy points under $5k.